New school transgender rules fire debate in Portugal

August 22, 2019 - 7:44 am

The Associated Press

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — New rules on gender identity at schools are causing a stir in Portugal, where some parents are expressing alarm that transgender children will be able to choose which bathroom they use.

A directive says transgender children can make choices that correspond with their gender identity, including choosing a bathroom, wearing a girl's or boy's school uniform or using their new gender name. They can only officially change their gender at 16.

The schools' directive sets out administrative procedures stemming from a law passed by parliament last year that seeks to guard against the discrimination of transgender people.

But an online petition is trying to put the brakes on the school directive and opposition politicians are questioning its wisdom. Some disproving lawmakers want the Constitutional Court to intervene.